Affidavit: Loretta Dillinger killed in September

A timeline in the deaths of Loretta Lynn Dillinger and a second person, whose skeletal remains were discovered Saturday, is more clear after court documents were filed Monday in the case.

According to court documents, after investigatory interviews, officers learned that on or about Sept. 22, Jerry Ray Dillinger, 37, of Thayer confronted his ex-sister-in-law Loretta Dillinger and another person. During the confrontation, Jerry shot and killed both Loretta and the other person.

Jerry was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, a class A felony, Saturday. He is currently being held in Union County Jail on $2 million cash-only bond pending further proceedings.

According to a Union County Sheriff report, on Dec. 2, Loretta’s body was discovered by a bow hunter on the property of 1024 Redwood Ave., in a stock pond hidden from view. Loretta was transported to the medical examiner’s office, where she was identified by her tattoos.

After executing several search warrants Saturday on Thayer properties, the skeletal remains of the second individual were discovered on the property at 401 Fourth St., Thayer.

“We had to use some excavating equipment and the use of a dog team to help locate the skeletal remains (of the second victim),” said DCI Agent Mike Motsinger during a press conference Saturday at Union County Courthouse.

No further information has been released regarding the second victim. The remains were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny for forensic analysis and identification. Meanwhile, an autopsy is currently being performed on Loretta’s body.

DCI, Union County Sheriff and Union County secondary roads, Iowa State Patrol, Creston Police, Department of Natural Resources, State Medical Examiner and North American Police Work Dog Association all aided in this investigation.